RAINBOW CITY, Alabama -- Alabama is the latest stop for New Zealander Wayne Gatenby, who is biking across America on his way to Key West.

Gatenby turns 40 this year, and his particular bucket list included a cross-continental trip to see the United States through its landmarks and small towns. His journey began July 1 across the border in Vancouver. He has until the end of September to get to Key West, when he has to fly back home.

As he pedaled through East Alabama, he passed the 3,500 mile mark. His journey has taken him through the North Cascades, Yellowstone National Park, over the Mississippi, and other points, with a detour to Mount Rushmore.

"This is Alabama, isn't it?" he asked, when trying to recount his trip. Gatenby, who is an engineer when he isn't biking, spends his evenings camping in parks. Last night was spent at Guntersville State Park.

He travels with a sleeping bag and cooking utensils, though he will occasionally stop at a bar to have a beer and a meal. He goes through anywhere from four to six bottles of water per day, and has had 11 tire punctures along roadways in North America. In Kentucky, he was briefly knocked off his bike at an intersection, but continued on his way with only a few minor scrapes.

"It's an adventure," he said. "I had been to America several times, but those were trips on buses, so you didn't get to see much except the Interstate. Now I'm going through the center of the U.S., and you see a lot of small towns with only a few hundred people. That lets me get friendly."

Gatenby said reactions to his trip range from "Hey, that's cool!" to "You're crazy!" or a mix of the two.

His family back home follows his progress, as he checks in via Skype. He intends to call his mother tonight, since it's her 70th birthday.

He plans on crossing over into Georgia somewhere around Columbus and continuing straight to Key West. He said the secret to making the trip is not being afraid to "take your time." Early in the journey, he tried making 120 miles in one day, which he said drained him. His usual pace now is around 60 miles a day.

"You just have to go at your own speed," he said.

Wayne Gatenby: Aug. 29, 2013RAINBOW CITY, Alabama -- Wayne Gatenby takes to the road as he continues his bike trip across the United States.